F1 fans are all saying the same thing after FIA axe Johnny Herbert from stewards…read more
The FIA has announced that Johnny Herbert will no longer serve as a driver steward for the foreseeable future, citing a conflict of interest. Herbert, a former F1 driver, resumed his role as a driver steward in 2023 after being let go as a pundit for Sky Sports at the end of 2022. However, his time in the stewarding role has been controversial, particularly after he made remarks about Max Verstappen during the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix. Herbert criticized Verstappen for forcing Lando Norris off the track, which led to backlash from both the Dutch driver and his father, Jos Verstappen. Jos Verstappen accused Herbert of being biased against his son in his stewarding decisions, especially after he ruled on incidents between Verstappen and Norris that weekend.
The FIA has now decided to part ways with Herbert, with the official reasoning being that his dual role as a pundit and steward was deemed “incompatible.” This decision comes after significant criticism of Herbert’s conduct, especially from fans who felt his commentary showed a bias towards certain drivers. Some fans expressed satisfaction with the FIA’s move, stating that it was a long-overdue decision. On social media, many voiced their approval, calling it a “good decision” and accusing Herbert of making unfair rulings due to his personal opinions.
The decision has sparked further conversation about the structure of the stewarding panel in F1. There is a growing call for the FIA to implement a permanent set of stewards, rather than the rotating panel system currently in place. Many believe this would provide more consistency in stewarding decisions and eliminate the perceived biases or inconsistencies that have been evident in recent seasons. Jos Verstappen, in particular, has voiced support for a permanent panel, comparing it to the model used in other sports like FIFA. However, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has previously stated that a permanent panel would be too costly, even though the governing body stands to benefit from increased entry fees and the introduction of new misconduct rules, which could see drivers fined for actions such as swearing.
While permanent stewards could potentially address some of the inconsistencies in penalty decisions, it is unclear whether such a change would completely resolve the issue. The FIA has already taken steps to clarify certain rules and improve communication with drivers, following discussions about stewarding decisions in 2023. Despite these efforts, the desire for more consistency remains strong among fans and stakeholders.
The dismissal of Johnny Herbert has fueled these discussions, with many calling for more transparency and fairness in stewarding decisions. Some fans feel that the FIA should have acted sooner, given Herbert’s controversial comments in the past. The growing debate about permanent stewards suggests that F1 may need to reevaluate its current system to maintain trust and credibility among its fanbase and participants.
